Coal is very complex in nature consisting of aromatic and hydroaromatic structure linked by aliphatic bridges with different functional group where the molecular architecture and main bonding structure varies systematically with their rank and carbon percentage. Molecular distributions, molecular architecture vis-à-vis rank of coal has a tremendous significance in determining the quality and suitability for specific applications such as feed stock for chemicals, synthetic fuels, advanced carbon nanomaterial and in energy storage. Raw coals or its by-products may be used directly as precursors to obtain solid carbon materials for advanced applications. Molecular characterization of coals has demonstrated the presence of nano-sized polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) for various potential applications while the inter layered spacing of the disordered carbon nanosheets present in coals and their electro-chemical behavior highlighted the potentiality of coals to be used in energy storage application i.e., in lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.

Large-scale manufacture of carbon-based nanomaterials from coal can deliver significant contributions toward the long-term viability for sustained human civilization with clean energy and green environment for global benefit. With in-depth research expertise in coal, GSES provide support for development of carbon-based nanomaterials having different structures and properties from different types of coal, with their potential use in more or less every aspect of human civilization particularly in energy, environment and human health and sustained development.